| 摘要 | 第1-6页 |
| Abstract | 第6-9页 |
| 1 Introduction | 第9-12页 |
| ·Need for the Study | 第9-10页 |
| ·Research Questions and Hypotheses | 第10页 |
| ·Research Methodology and Data Selection | 第10-11页 |
| ·Organization of the Thesis | 第11-12页 |
| 2 Literature Review | 第12-27页 |
| ·Vagueness | 第12-16页 |
| ·Researches on Vagueness Abroad | 第12-15页 |
| ·Researches on Vagueness at Home | 第15-16页 |
| ·Pragmatic Vagueness | 第16-22页 |
| ·R. Kempson and He Ziran's Pragmatic Vagueness Theory | 第17-20页 |
| ·J. Thomas and Yu Dongming's Pragmatic Vagueness Theory | 第20-22页 |
| ·Humor | 第22-25页 |
| ·Definition of Humor | 第22-24页 |
| ·Three Classical Theories of Humor | 第24-25页 |
| ·Statement of Problems and a New Understanding of Pragmatic Vagueness | 第25-27页 |
| 3 Theoretical Framework | 第27-34页 |
| ·A Pragmatic Perspective on Vagueness | 第27-28页 |
| ·Vagueness in Pragmatics | 第28-34页 |
| ·Using Indefinite Deixis as A Kind of Pragmatic Vageness | 第28-29页 |
| ·Indirect Speech Act as A Kind of Pragmatic Vagueness | 第29-30页 |
| ·Changing Presupposion as A Kind of Pragmatic Vagueness | 第30-32页 |
| ·Violating Cooperative Principles as A Kind of Pragmatic Vageness | 第32页 |
| ·Observing Politeness Principles as A Kind of Pragmatic Vagueness | 第32-34页 |
| 4 Pragmatic Vagueness in English Humor | 第34-47页 |
| ·Realization of Pragmatic Vagueness in English Humor | 第34-43页 |
| ·Indefinite Deixis in English Humor | 第34-36页 |
| ·Indirect Speech Act in English Humor | 第36-38页 |
| ·Changing Presupposition in English Humor | 第38-39页 |
| ·Violation of Cooperative Principles in English Humor | 第39-41页 |
| ·Observing Politeness Principles in English Humor | 第41-43页 |
| ·Functions of Pragmatic Vagueness in English Humor | 第43-47页 |
| ·Improving the Forcefulness of Humorous Effect | 第43-44页 |
| ·Avoiding Quarrels with Others | 第44页 |
| ·Shaking off Embarrassment | 第44-45页 |
| ·Expressing Humane Sympathy | 第45页 |
| ·Creating Humorous Atmosphere | 第45-47页 |
| 5 Conclusions | 第47-50页 |
| ·Major Findings of the Study | 第47-48页 |
| ·Significance of the Study | 第48-49页 |
| ·Limitations of the Study and Suggestions for Further Research | 第49-50页 |
| References | 第50-53页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第53页 |
